Iraq War Anniversary Rallies

By
James Gaddis

July 22, 2010Updated Mar 19, 2007 at 11:18 PM EST

We'll start here outside the federal courthouse in Binghamton. Nearly 100 people gathered with anti-war signs while banging on drums and buckets. The protesters say they don't want to be here next year, for another war anniversary. "We hope this will be the last time that we're here to commemorate it because it's just been going on too long. And we support the troops but we support them in a way to bring them home," said Alan Jones of Endwell.The protest wrapped up with a march down State Street in Binghamton.It was sponsored by Broome County Peace Action.In Vestal, Binghamton University students protested the war loudly campus. The message from the anti-war rally: bring the troops home now. About 100 students marched through campus, holding signs. Binghamton Political Initiative, a student group, organized the campus rally. The march made a stop inside the administration building, and at the University Union.And in Tioga County, about two dozen people gathered at the courthouse in Owego to show their support for the troops. Many here do oppose the war, but focused on calling on the government to take better care of the troops. They worry not enough has been done to increase troop safety in Iraq. At home, they want better care for the wounded, and veterans benefits. The rally was sponsored by the Weekly Peace Vigil Group and the Tioga Peace and Justice Group.